For years, I dreamed of visiting the continent of Africa but felt overwhelmed by the vast array of locales to choose from. In 2020, M and I planned to spend our first wedding anniversary traveling across East and West Africa, but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled our plans. When my dear friend Carmen told M and me that if we enjoyed Napa, California, we would love South Africa’s wine country, we didn’t hesitate to start our travel plans once lockdown restrictions lifted.
Cape Town is a magical place with experiences that satiate every kind of traveler. There's never a dull moment from mountain hiking to surfing, touring wine country, and lying on the beach.
Time of year we traveled: Our trip was timed to be a fourth wedding anniversary celebration, so we visited in mid-November, which is Cape Town’s springtime. The temperatures were mild, ranging from the high 50s F in the evening to the high 70s F during the day.
If you’re looking to visit during the off-peak season, I recommend November. The weather was idyllic, and prices were cheaper. If you want to travel during peak season when Cape Town is experiencing summer, January through February is the perfect time.
Photo credit: Shakirah A. Hill Taylor | Preparing to surf with Stoked Surf School Where we stayed: As Carmen recommended, we stayed in wine country, about 25 minutes from the city's center. Our lodging was the beautiful Alphen Boutique Hotel & Spa. Getting around was seamless. We used Taxify and Bolt, Cape Town’s versions of Uber. Uber is also prevalent across the city, though we wanted to support the local economy as much as possible. If you’re looking for a lively experience, I recommend staying in either Camps Bay, the City Bowl, or near the V&A Waterfront.
Where we ate: Cape Town has no shortage of impeccable food. The city is an epicurean’s dream. M and I were shocked to learn that no Michelin-starred restaurants exist in Cape Town or across Africa. Our dining was extensive — check out my complete dining list.
Below is a short list of our favorites:
The Pot Luck Club: An eclectic, tapas-style menu with bold and daring cocktails.
Aubergine: French-inspired cuisine in the Gardens area of Cape Town.
Babel: An authentic farm-to-table experience on the grounds of Babylonstoren.
Photo credit: Shakirah A. Hill Taylor | Dinner at The Pot Luck Club Things we did: Cape Town has experiences for every type of traveler. M and I have overlapping and also distinct travel styles. We both love to eat and have cultural experiences. I lean more towards adventure, and M prefers to relax for a good portion of our vacations. When we take time away, I try to ensure our itinerary meets each of our needs. Our time in Cape Town was a solid mix of adventure, dining, and trying new things:
Hike Table Mountain
Surfing with Stoked Surf School
Whale watching in Gansbaai with Ivanhoe Sea Safaris
Visiting Robben Island
Spent the day at Babylonstoren
Visiting the Oranjezicht Night Market
Wine Tasting at Beau Constantia
Photo credit: Shakirah A. Hill Taylor | Landscape shot of Babylonstoren Cape Town is a destination I hope to experience many times over. It’s a city with the potential to unlock new doors every visit. I’d love to hear about your experience if you've been to the Mother City.
Great read. South Africa has been big on my list for a minute. Thanks for the recommendations.
Easily my favorite city of my trip!